Grandfather Mountain State Park

Trails Status

Hiking Trails

Open

About the Park

Map of North Carolina with a star indicating the location of Grandfather Mountain State Park

Located in Avery, Caldwell, and Watauga counties 13 miles southwest of Boone, Grandfather Mountain State Park showcases a stunning mountain known for severe weather and challenging terrain that has hikers scrambling along cliffs, gripping cables, and climbing up ladders. It also boasts an unmatched ecological diversity that has been recognized as a United Nations International Biosphere Reserve. The state parkland sits between privately owned Grandfather Mountain attraction (admission fee charged) and Blue Ridge Parkway trails managed by the National Park Service. 

Camping

  • Tent sites (backpacking only)
  • Group tent sites (backpacking only)

Activities

  • Hiking (13 miles) – free permits are required and must be filled out at the trailhead prior to hiking

 

Grandfather Mountain State Park trails connect to the Asutsi Trail, 0.4 miles, and the Tanawha Trail, 13 miles. Both hiking trails are managed by the National Park Service as part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Plan Your Visit

Tab/Accordion Items

Address

9872 N.C. 105 S., Suite 6, Banner Elk, NC 28604

GPS: 36.1549, -81.7872

Address

4198 N.C. 105 N., Banner Elk, NC 28604

GPS: 36.1197, -81.8350

Current Weather

The temperatures shown below are for the town of Banner Elk. Calloway Peak, the highest point on the mountain, has an elevation of 5,946 feet, and temperatures throughout the park may be several degrees colder than shown, so please plan accordingly.

28604 Banner Elk, NC

The following are other parking areas for trails inside Grandfather Mountain State Park. These accesses are not managed by N.C. State Parks.

Boone Fork Parking Area

Managed by the National Park Service
Mile marker: 299.9, Blue Ridge Parkway, Banner Elk, NC 28604
GPS: 36.1200, -81.7813  

Asutsi Trail Parking Area

Managed by the National Park Service
Blowing Rock Highway / U.S. 221, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
GPS: 36.1163, -81.7773

Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation

Fee charged at attraction
2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646
GPS: 36.0851, -81.8462

Park Hours

Tab/Accordion Items

Park gates open and close promptly at the hours listed below. Visitors are prohibited from accessing the park before opening hours and after closing hours. Please note that gates may close due to inclement weather; always check this page for the most current information or call the park prior to your visit.

Month Hours
January 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
June 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
October 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You may contact the office during business hours or after hours; please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Photo Gallery

Column Paragraph

Top: Grandfather Mountain profile, C. Peek

Gallery: View from Calloway Peak, J. Brown  |  Hikers using rope on a steep climb, C. Peek  |  Pinkshell azalea, vulnerable species endemic to Grandfather Mountain, J. Mickey  |  McRae Peak, C. Peek  |  Yonahlosse salamander, a large species first described at Grandfather Mountain, B. Goff